The Home and Community Care [HACC] program assists many people who may be frail, elderly, have a disability or are a primary carer for these people, to live independently in their own homes and to participate in the community.
Available Services
General Homecare:
A Community Care Worker will assist you with the variety of tasks, which you are unable to manage, aimed at maintaining your independence whilst living in the comfort and security of your own home. These include:
Cleaning of:
· All floor surfaces with an appropriate mop/vacuum
· Shower, baths, toilets
· Stove, fridge, cook top
· Benches, cupboards, limited dusting
· Changing of bed linen, making beds
· Limited ironing, washing.
Occasional tasks, which may be performed, include:
· Cleaning of internal windows
· Cleaning door frames and woodwork
· Cleaning inside cupboards
· Other spring-cleaning tasks.
During the assessment process where the Assessment Officer has nominated specific tasks to be performed, the Community Care Workers can assist you with: -
· Shopping
· Paying bills, banking
· Appointments
· Preparation of meals.
Personal Care
Community Care Workers have been trained to assist people with their personal care tasks:
They may assist you with:
· showering, bathing, dressing and undressing, toileting
· grooming, hair care, shaving (with an electric razor)
· mobility tasks, both in and out of bed, eg. transfer to chair, wheelchair or vehicle
· eating and/or drinking, prescribed exercise or therapy programs and fitting of appliances such as splints or callipers (only after individual instruction)
· prompting medication compliance
Respite Care
Respite Care is provided to families and carers with the extra demands of caring for someone who has a disability, which may be intellectual, physical or sensory. Respite Care is also provided for the terminally ill and for carers of family members with Dementia.
Respite is accessed “in-home” by arrangement with the Assessment Officer.
Where Council is unable to meet your specific needs, the Assessment Officer is able to send a referral to other agencies.
In-Home Respite Care:
· Gives carers a break
· Provides personal care
· May implement a therapy program
Families needing a short break from their usual routine have found that respite care can help them to manage their other commitments:
· Attending personal appointments eg. Doctors, hairdressers
· Participating in leisure and recreational activities
· Attending social functions
Respite care is available weekdays, weekends, and evenings. Advance booking notice is required; however every attempt will be made to provide care in a crisis.
No overnight care is provided.
Food Services (Meals On Wheels)
Meals on Wheels are available to any person who, for reasons of age, disability, chronic or temporary illness, is unable to cope with cooking duties to maintain an adequate diet. Meals may be provided for a few days, a few weeks, or indefinitely to meet the individual’s needs.
The cost of the meals is kept as low as possible, with a small annual increase.
Home Maintenance
This service is only available whilst the client is living in his or her own home. It is not intended to provide tasks for the purpose of beautification, but is aimed at attending to tasks that are for maintenance of client safety in and around the home.
Limited Home Maintenance is available to frail aged and disabled residents. The service provides lawn mowing on a 4 weekly rotating basis. Also provided is the “Handyman Service”, which attends to a broad range of minor repairs and modifications, both inside and outside the home, which do not require a tradesperson, such as:-
* Fitting disability aids eg. Wheelchair Ramps, and handrails in bathrooms and toilets after assessment by an Occupational Therapist (for which the Council may lodge the referral)
* Minor carpentry
* Mending or changing door locks
* Fitting security doors and window locks
* Removal of rubbish.
Materials and Equipment
The Home Maintenance Workers supply their own tools and equipment. If materials are required the client will be expected to pay for these. The Home Maintenance worker will advise you as to what is required and can purchase these on your behalf at your request.
If any task is beyond the scope of the Home Maintenance Worker, they will assist you to obtain alternative affordable advice or service.
Applying for Home and Community Care Services:
Your phone enquiry is welcomed by calling 52584132
Alternatively direct requests marked 'confidential' in writing to:-
Aged Care & Disability Services
Borough of Queenscliffe
PO Box 93
Queenscliff 3225
Request for HACC services can be received directly from you or a family member on your behalf, a Doctor, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist or the District Nursing Service.
The Assessment Officer will contact you within 3 working days to arrange an appointment to discuss with you your requirements and eligibility for these Services.
Our high quality service is provided by very capable and caring Community Care Workers to you and/or your carer following an assessment undertaken with you in your home.
Cost of Services
The Assessment Officer will inform you of the range of fees charged for services. Consideration of a client’s financial commitments will be considered when setting the fees. Fees are adjusted by small amounts annually, and kept as low as possible.
We welcome any enquiries you may have about how our services can assist in meeting your needs.
